EDITOR,
I am writing in response to Gerd and David Moore's letter to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office about Fortis B.C.'s work for the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project ("Pipeline issues raised," Chief, Jan. 9).
Fortis B.C. is studying options to provide natural gas service to Woodfibre Natural Gas Ltd.'s proposed small-scale LNG processing and export facility at the former Woodfibre mill site near Squamish. The project consists of expanding a portion of the existing pipeline originally installed in 1990 to serve Vancouver Island. This expansion begins north of Coquitlam and ends at the Woodfibre site. In addition to expanding the pipeline, the project requires upgrades to compressor stations at Eagle Mountain in Coquitlam and Port Mellon on the Sunshine Coast. A new compressor station is also proposed in or near Squamish. Studies are underway to determine the location of the new compressor station.
The B.C. environmental assessment process for this project required open houses in Squamish and Coquitlam in mid-November to gather information from the public. The public comment period ran from Nov. 15 to Dec. 16, 2013.
It's important to note that consultation around this project is not limited to the environmental assessment process. Fortis B.C. believes that it is important to reach out to communities to share information and gather public input when a project is in the early stages - prior to the company making any formal plans or commitments to move forward.
Members of our project team have been meeting with local and provincial governments and interest groups since April 2013. We will continue to consult with local individuals and organizations during all project stages.
Anyone who would like to get in touch with me directly or learn more about the project can visit http://fortisbc.com/egp.
Carol Greaves
Community Relations Manager
Fortis B.C.
